The rest of the council agreed to continue targeting anti-social behavior and to stick with the original design endorsed in April.

The exact price for consultation by social entrepreneur and community expert Peter Kenyon could not be confirmed until the council settles on a brief for the project, Mr Dobrzynski said.

“We would expect the benefits gained from Mr Kenyon's work with people utilising the bus stops will be far more valuable in planning for our CBD,s future than any minimal, one-off cost outlay,” he said.

‘Benefit outweighs cost’ for social expert

It was too early to speculate on what changes Mr Kenyon may suggest, according to the general manager, but he said the operational requirements for an efficient public transport were “complex”.

“Route planning is overseen by Metro Tasmania, and we will continue to discuss options with them to realise any improvements that can be made,” he said. “At this point the council has a clear policy position on the bus stop locations and redesign of the street.”

The work on St John Street “will likely” begin in the first half of 2018, to coincide with the redevelopment of the Brisbane Street Mall.

The mayor’s suggestion on Monday, to relocate the bus stops to near Civic Square, was objected to by St Andrews Church in 2015.

Public consultation at the same time showed divided opinions on the bus stops.